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Michael Totten

BFA in Photography and Imaging — Photography and Imaging
Course:
Fine Art Photography
Faculty:
Ken Marchionno
Term:
2023 Fall

THE CRAIGSLIST PROJECT

The Craigslist Project began as an experiment in meeting strangers and making a photograph together. I posted open calls online and met people in whatever public places felt neutral to them. The sessions were brief but often surprisingly charged, shaped by the small but essential trust required when two people who've never met agree to make something in that moment. As the project evolved, the encounters became more intentional, revealing a balance between chance and intention that continues to shape the way I work.

Process:

The process began with posting open calls online and meeting strangers in a public space. We set aside an hour together, and I worked alone with a minimal setup, using available light and shooting mostly color negative film in the 6x7 format. Each session began with a brief conversation to get a sense of how the person carried themselves, and the portraits came out of whatever unfolded in that short window. As the project developed, I refined the approach and moved toward more intentional settings while keeping the spontaneity that defined the early sessions.

Learning Outcomes:

This project taught me how to structure simple, efficient portrait sessions with people l'd never met, and how to make the most of limited time and minimal tools. It also gave me a clearer sense of how different personalities respond to being photographed and how to adapt the session to meet them where they are.

Tags:
Photography